UCLA Engineering students/entrepreneurs attending ITMO’s SumIT program, a summer startup program in St. Petersburg. UCLA Flagship student Kathy Pham, who accompanied the group to Russia, is in the third picture (2nd from right).

Certificate in Russian Language and Culture for Engineers

Requirements

The certificate requirements can be satisfied by either lower or upper division courses. Students who have studied Russian in high school or speak Russian at home can take higher level language courses.

Upon completing the program, students will receive an “Certificate in Russian Language and Culture for Engineers and Applied Scientists” issued by the UCLA Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.

A minimum of one year of Russian language (three courses, 12-15 units, 120-150 hours). This requirement can be satisfied by an intensive eight week summer course at UCLA (12 units - Russian 10), one course per quarter during an academic year at UCLA (15 units), or an equivalent summer intensive language course taken at another institution in the United States or in Russia. This requirement can be waived for students who pass an equivalency test. Students who have completed one year or the equivalent may choose to take a higher level Russian language course in summer or during the academic year.

Through guided self-directed research, students will explore the role of culture in engineering design and problem solving in Russia and make a presentation at the annual Undergraduate Slavic Research Conference. This course can be taken P/NP during the academic year.

Students will be required to spend 6-8 weeks in Russia, depending on the type of program. This time can be spent in a formal language study program, as a participant in an independent or guided research project, internship or volunteer work. Students may be able to receive credit for the internship or volunteer work through the UCLA Center for Community Learning.

Internships can be arranged at institutions that have MOUs with UCLA, for example St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO), Moscow State University, or National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) in Moscow, all well-known engineering/applied science schools. Internships may also be possible at multinational companies in Russia.

Students can attend a summer language program in Russia and complete an internship at the same time. Students on financial aid who attend the summer UC EAP program in Russian will be able to get the same level of financial support they receive during the academic year at UCLA.

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures will review and approve as necessary transfer of credits from summer programs to UCLA. Courses taken at foreign institutions may count towards areas studies and language requirements for this certificate.